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The Battle of Bhima Koregaon: 1st January, 1818

By Pardeep Singh Attri

"If we wish to be free, we must fight. Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? I know not what course others may take; but asY for me, give me liberty or give me death." – Patrick Henry (March, 1775)

Bhima Koregaon Pillar: Honouring the Bravery of Untouchable Soldiers

History of India is nothing but the struggle between untouchables and so called upper castes. However the Indian historians have always misled us by not showing the true face of Indian History.

The glorious victory of few hundred untouchable soldiers over numerically superior Peshwa's army in the battle of Koregaon, fought on 1st January, 1818, is one such chapter in Indian history whose significance has been carefully hidden.

On that day, when many were busy celebrating the new year, a small force of 500 mahar (an untouchable caste in Maharashtra) soldiers in the British army were preparing for a war against the most brutal Indian state of that times – Brahmin Peshwa rulers of Pune, Maharashtra.

In the history books, this battle is considered an important one and is known as second Anglo-Maratha war that resulted in the total destruction of Peshwa kingdom and sealed the victory of British Empire in India. However, there is a different historical dimension to this war that all of us need to be aware of. Read more… »

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60 years of the Constitution of India By 26th November 2009, the Constitution of India has completed 60 years of its functioning. The Constitution of India as drafted and presented by the Chief Architect of the Constitution Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and certain articles came into force on the day and whole of the Constitution came into force with effect from 26th January 1950, on which date, India became a republic. On the eve of completion of sixty years of its functioning, it is imperative to have an appraisal of the Constitution, since it is not only an administrative index or compilation of instructions relating to the governance of the country, but, primarily, it holds out certain promises to the citizens, assured certain guarantees, conferred certain fundamental rights to them, with a protection of the various High Courts and the Supreme Court. it is now, the time to assess how far the Constitution fulfilled its promises and protected the rights guaranteed. The important feature of the Constitution is its promise of Justice- Social, Economic and Political; Equality of Status and of Opportunity; Liberty and Fraternity. The Constitution is more essential for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other poorer sections of the society, because, it promised equality and equal opportunity, to which these communities were denied for centuries. In addition to this the constitution through Directive Principles issued instructions to the government to establish a Welfare State, where there is no social, economic exploitation and oppression. It has directed the government to take care of health and education of the children and particularly of women and aged. It has also cautioned that the natural recourses and wealth of the nation is not concentrated in the hands of a few people, but should be made available to all, to better their conditions of life. Therefore, it is necessary to assess, what happened to its promises and its guarantees. In this context, it is trite to remind ourselves, the question posed by the then president of India Sri K R Narayanan, on the eve of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of India, "whether the Constitution failed? Or We failed the Constitution?" On this occasion let us also remind ourselves the caution held out by Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, on the day of adoption of the Constitution that: "On the 26 th January 1950 we are going to enter into a life of contradictions … we must remove this contradictions at the earliest possible moment or else, those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of the political democracy which this assembly has so laboriously built-up". Facts after sixty years reveal that the contradictions are widening. Then, why, those who suffer from inequality do not blow up the structures of the political democracy? This question is also to be addressed.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drafted by- Bojja Tharakam, Senior Advocate, High court AP, state president Republican Party of India, and Chairmen of Celebrations committee on 60 Years of Indian constitution --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Celebrations committee on 60 Years of Indian constitution was formed with the collaboration of 20 Dalit organizations in the state of Andhra Pradesh to launch a state wide campaign on 60 years of constitution of constitution of India to analyse its functioning, to have an appraisal of the Constitution The committee held its first meeting on 26/11/2009 in Hyderabad Press Club, Chief Guest, Justice K.Ramaswamy (former judge supreme court of India), Honorable Guests V.S Ramadevi (former Governor Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh states) and S.R Shankaran (former secretary of Tripura state) and the meeting presided over by Bojja Tharakam, Senior Advocate, High court AP, state president Republican Party of India, and Chairmen of Celebrations committee on 60 Years of Indian constitution The member organizations are 1) National Dalit Forum 2)AP SC welfare society 3) Confederation of Sc ST Organizations 4)Dalitha Sthree Shakthi 5) AP ST Employees union, 6) APSEB SS ST Employees union 7) AP SC rights protection society 8) Dalitha Bahujana Front 9) Sakshi Human Rights Watch 10) Peoples Monitoring Committee 11) WAASSAN (Bhoomi Kendram) 12) APVVU 13) HRLN 14) All India Samatha sainik dal 15)AP Dalitha Bahujana workers union 16) All Indian SC ST Bank Employees Union 17) All India Defense SC ST Employees union 18) AP Grameena Bank SC ST Employees union 19) AP Buddhist Trust 20) Republican Party of India The Member organizations are organizing meetings all over the state starting from 26/11/2009, and the state level final meeting will be held on constitution day on 26/01/2010 in Hyderabad

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

By 26th November 2009, the Constitution of India has completed 60 years of its functioning. The Constitution of India as drafted and presented by the Chief Architect of the Constitution Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and certain articles came into force on the day and whole of the Constitution came into force with effect from 26th January 1950, on which date, India became a republic.

On the eve of completion of sixty years of its functioning, it is imperativeto have an appraisal of the Constitution, since it is not only an administrative index or compilation of instructions relating to the governance of the country, but, primarily, it holds out certain promises to the citizens, assured certain guarantees, conferred certain fundamental rights to them, with a protection of the various High Courts and the Supreme Court. it is now, the time to assess how far the Constitution fulfilled its promises and protected the rights guaranteed.

The important feature of the Constitution is its promise of Justice- Social, Economic and Political; Equality of Status and of Opportunity; Liberty and Fraternity. The Constitution is more essential for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other poorer sections of the society, because, it promised equality and equal opportunity, to which these communities were denied for centuries. In addition to this the constitution through Directive Principles issued instructions to the government to establish a Welfare State, where there is no social, economic exploitation and oppression.

It has directed the government to take care of health and education of the children and particularly of women and aged. It has also cautioned that the natural recourses and wealth of the nation is not concentrated in the hands of a few people, but should be made available to all, to better their conditions of life. Therefore, it is necessary to assess, what happened to its promises and its guarantees.

In this context, it is trite to remind ourselves, the question posed by the then president of India Sri K R Narayanan, on the eve of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of India, "whether the Constitution failed? Or We failed the Constitution?"

On this occasion let us also remind ourselves the caution held out by Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, on the day of adoption of the Constitution that: "On the 26 th January 1950 we are going to enter into a life of contradictions … we must remove this contradictions at the earliest possible moment or else, those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of the political democracy which this assembly has so laboriously built-up".

Facts after sixty years reveal that the contradictions are widening. Then, why, those who suffer from inequality do not blow up the structures of the political democracy? This question is also to be addressed.

The Celebrations committee on 60 Years of Indian constitution was formed with the collaboration of 20 Dalit organizations in the state of Andhra Pradesh to launch a state wide campaign on 60 years of constitution of constitution of India to analyse its functioning, to have an appraisal of the Constitution

The committee held its first meeting on 26/11/2009 in Hyderabad Press Club, Chief Guest, Justice K.Ramaswamy (former judge supreme court of India), Honorable Guests V.S Ramadevi (former Governor Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh states) and S.R Shankaran (former secretary of Tripura state) and the meeting presided over by Bojja Tharakam, Senior Advocate, High court AP, state president Republican Party of India, and Chairmen of Celebrations committee on 60 Years of Indian constitution

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"We stick to the demand for ensuring reservation for the economically-backward among upper castes in jobs," Paswan told reporters, while ridiculing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's announcement that his government would give either three decimal of land or Rs 20,000 in cash to each dalit family.

"We will like Kumar to publish a list of the dalits, who have received benefits under the scheme," he said.

The LJP supremo also said that his party would ensure reservation for economically-backward among upper castes and provide one bigha of land for each dalit family, if voted to power in the 2010 assembly polls.

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HYDERABAD: Sanctioning of scholarships and rebursing the fees of SC, ST, BC and EBC students, numbering about 9.8 lakh, for the current academic year is likely to be delayed. Officials could not complete verification of applications, including those for renewal, in view of the fact that many colleges in the State have been closed for the past one month due to agitations. Speaking to mediapersons here today, Social Welfare Minister P Subash Chandra Bose said that the verification of applications was held up due to closure of colleges following agitations for and against separate Telangana. However, the officials are learnt to have been preparing plans to complete the verification process before the conclusion of the current academic year at the earliest. About Rs 920 crore has already been sanctioned which will be released to 7.3 lakh students for renewal of scholarships. For the academic year of 2008-09, the government received 24.19 lakh applications online for scholarships covering students belonging to SC, ST, BC and EBC sections. Of these, 10.6 lakh applications are for renewals while 13.3 lakh students are fresh applicants. Fee reimbursement for all renewal applications of students will be completed by January 15. The government would initiate the process of fee reimbursement and scholarships to fresh applicants after January 15, Bose said.

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Express news service Posted online: Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 at 0327 hrsLucknow : Having faced a lot of flak for fund collection on herbirthday, which falls on January 15, UP Chief Minister Mayawati onTuesday asked BSP functionaries to henceforth observe it as JanKalyankari Diwas and organise welfare activities for the poor, widowsand the physically challenged on the day.Earlier, the day used to be observed as Arthik Sahyog Diwas with partyfunctionaries being given targets for fund

Among the other accused in the case are MLA's wife Vibha, who waspresident of the local civic body, and Yogrendra Dohrem, the thendistrict BSP president.

In a meeting with party's top functionaries, including coordinatorsfrom various states and zonal coordinators from UP, Mayawatireportedly apprised them of the decision for her 54th birthdaycelebrations.

The UP CM is also said to have tried to distance herself from thepractice of fund collection on her birthday, saying it started duringthe days of BSP founder Kanshi Ram.She accused the Congress, BJP andother parties for politicising the tradition of observing her birthdayas Arthik Sahyog Diwas, a party leader said.

Mayawati asked her party functionaries to launch a membership drivenext month. "The membership drive is only for party functionaries; wewill get detailed directions in this regard," said a party's statecoordinator.

MADURAI: Three Dalit youths are alleged to have been attacked by aCaste Hindu group for touching the sacred ceremonial umbrella (kovilkudai) of the Ayyappan Temple during a ritual procession at Uthangudion the outskirts of Madurai.

The group, armed with sticks and weapons, is said to have abusedPrathap (19), P. Vinod Kumar (19) and Kannan (20) of Ambedkar Street,Uthangudi, by their caste names and attacked them claiming they had"defiled" the umbrella with their touch on Saturday night.

Dalit women were not spared as the group entered the street andattacked them; a pregnant woman Lakshmi (21) is undergoing treatmentat the Government Rajaji Hospital.

Police were yet to file a first information report after members ofViduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Dalits of Ambedkar Street staged aroad roko.

Team members of Evidence, a non-governmental organisation based inMadurai working among Dalits, conducted an enquiry and found that theassertion of Dalits under the VCK and claiming their rights were themajor reasons behind the attack.

A. Kathir, executive director, Evidence, wanted the State governmentto provide adequate compensation to the Dalits who were attacked andalso urged the district administration to take action against theoffice-bearers of Uthangudi panchayat who were involved in the attack.

Attacks citing defilement due to touch was on the rise and Dalitsjoining queues at ration shops and at photo sessions for medicalinsurance had invited the wrath of Caste Hindus in the recent past.Complaints in this regard had been sent to the National Human RightsCommission and State Human Rights Commission, he said.

VEDARANYAM: Two months after the Dalits of Chettipulam were usheredinto the Ekambareshwarar temple by the district administration, theyare not finding work.

The village has placed a Samudaya Kattupadu, or unwritten socialcontrol, against engaging Dalit labour, said a police source. Dalitsdo not find jobs in all seven Kadus (administrative divisions) ofChettipulam.

There were attempts to pressurise people from nearby villages toexclude Dalits from labour.

"A Dalit man, who was de-weeding a field, was asked to leave after aCaste Hindu refused to work on the same field," says Pushpavalli, aDalit woman, who was relieved as domestic help.

According to a Revenue Department official, the tacit agreement amongCaste Hindus is real, though it would never be acknowledged.

Dalits have not entered the Ekambareshwarar Temple after October 27,when they were led in by the district administration as the Statewatched.

"Self-restraint"

It is 'self-restraint' on the part of Dalits to 'avoid conflict' inthe face of evident hostility, they say. "We have a 'Samudaya Kovil'[community temple] and we do not want any trouble," says BirlaThangadurai.

MADURAI: Yet another case of unbridled atrocity against Dalits in avillage in Madurai has been reported and police have belatedly filed acase.

The Dalits were allegedly assaulted and a woman from the communitypushed into the gutters - the 'provocation' for this action was that aDalit youth had touched the decorated parasol held above the idol of adeity during the temple festival.

The festival of Ayyappan temple in Uthangudi near Madurai iscelebrated every year. The chariot bearing the idol of the Lord usedto be taken around all streets of the village, except those in theDalit area, claiming that the 'untouchables' were not fit to worshipthe deity.

This year the festival was celebrated on December 26 and the deity wastaken in procession. Some people of high caste were holding aloft thedecorated umbrella above the idol. One of the men holding the umbrellahad asked a Dalit, Pratap (19), to hold the umbrella while he tied hisdhoti.

When Pratap held the stem of the umbrella, a high caste man had pulledhim out, abused and slapped him saying,"how dare you defile the sacredumbrella? Have you developed such courage?''.

Other Dalit youth who were witnessing the incident had tried toprevent this assault but they were also subjected to the sametreatment. Other caste Hindus had also joined the rabble and beatenthe Dalits.

The Dalits had fled from the place to avoid further attack. Accordingto A Kadir, director of Evidence, a Madurai-based NGO which went tothe village on a fact finding mission, that night about 30 casteHindus armed with lethal weapons had entered the Dalit colony andbroken open the door of Vinothkumar.

The mob had dragged Letchumy (21) wife of Arumugam and sister ofVinothkumar, who was pregnant and beaten her with chappals.

She was then pushed into the sewer and kicked.

Kadir said that the affected Dalits had lodged a complaint with theOthakadai police who had not filed a case. Therefore, the Dalits ofthe village and members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Party resortedto picketing on December 27, after which the police registered cases.

Letchumy's mother Rasammal had given a separate complaint about themolestation of her daughter and the atrocities she was subjected to.

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Since I have been writing about Hinduism for Comment is free, I havebeen inundated with comments asking about the caste system – somepeople have been curious, others have just about fallen short ofdemanding my blood.

I am – pardon the refrain – no expert on religion, but I thought Iwould put down some of my thoughts on the caste system, and how it hasaffected my life.

It may surprise some to learn that I actually don't remember hearingany open caste-ist statement until I was in my early twenties. I wasvisiting a distant, elderly relative, and we were chatting comfortablyof this and that, when he leaned forward and said: "You know, the deanof students at Anna University [in Chennai] doesn't wear a poonal?" Hewas referring to the sacred thread worn across the body by Brahmins,the highest denomination in the Hindu caste system.

At first, I was a bit befuddled by the gentleman's apparent interestin what the dean of students at the engineering institute chose towear under his shirt (I almost said, maybe he finds it itchy?) but Irealised soon enough that he was saying that the said official was anon-Brahmin, and he clearly disapproved.

I was quite taken aback by his comment, and I was telling a distantaunt of mine that I was surprised at this caste-prejudice, and sheresponded: "Oh, Iyengars are all like that," referring in turn to myrelative's denomination. I don't think she saw the irony. Generallyspeaking, this is how the caste system works in practice in urbanIndia. On the surface, it does not necessarily seem to exist, but italways lurks beneath the skin.

You can spend your whole life being unaware, until it's time to getmarried, when it suddenly assumes importance. The more conservativefamilies would just lay down the law in this respect, and the moreliberal ones would say something along the lines of, "I don't mind anycaste, but I think you would have a better married life if you chosesomeone of a similar cultural background … "

In terms of education, the government-imposed quota system for lowercastes means it is quite hard for higher castes to get a universityseat, and in terms of employment, many companies are suspiciously fullof people from a particular caste or denomination.

From what I gather, the caste system originated in the concept ofdivision of labour – people were divided into priests, warriors,merchants and the serving class. But this simplified division does nojustice to the complexity and the hundreds of subdivisions withinthose. I am a Brahmin myself, and we are subdivided into Iyers,worshippers of Shiva, and Iyengars, worshippers of Vishnu. Withinother castes, there are hundreds of subdivisions, and the protagonistof Mulk Raj Anand's pioneering novel The Untouchable, refers to thelowest of the low in the caste of Dalits – the toilet cleaners.

The sad thing about caste in India is that it transfers acrossreligions. One of my professors once told us a story – the rector ofthe institution had organised a trip for students to the villages inorder for the kids to "observe the caste system". This professorimmediately asked the rector, "Why not just ask them to observe thechurch congregation this evening, Father?"

And even amongst the most liberal families, it does play an importantpart in your upbringing if nothing else. Many Indians I meet here inthe UK, for example, are Brahmins like myself; they are often welleducated, either making good money as engineers or pots of money asbankers and lawyers. Hence the general perception that Indians arevegetarians: it is actually only my members of my caste – originallypriests – that are supposed to be vegetarian. But in discussing my ownexperience of caste, I am leaving out a vast majority – more than 60%of India's population is in rural areas, where the caste system ismuch stronger. I once visited a farm owned by my school, which hadappointed a Harijan to take care of the property. There was muchconsternation in the village because a Harijan had been allowed to setfoot inside a farmhouse. Petty acts of retribution followed, such asthe stealing of the water pump that irrigated the fields. It can getmuch, much worse.

In fact, the more I read about it, the more depressing it gets. Butthere are positives.

Unlike some other countries where violation of human rights is part ofthe constitution, there is official recognition in India of the needfor change. We can argue the merits and demerits of positivediscrimination, but the fact is that 69% of university seats areallocated for disadvantaged castes.

When will we see a caste free society? Probably never. But can itpossibly change for the better?

It is changing already. India is a country in flux – two years ago, Icould never have imagined that the ludicrous law banning homosexualitywould ever be lifted, and yet that process has started.